While Zimbabwe is traditionally a farming nation, Mashumba says many youths see agriculture as a dirty job; the main reason being that most farms are off the grid.

“I live in a rural community where many people don’t want to live because the infrastructure is not as good as in the cities. Access to many things is not as great,” Mashumba tells VOA Studio 7.

Zimbabwe is facing a severe economic crisis that has decimated jobs, resulting in more than 90 percent unemployment, according to independent estimates.

But Mashumba believes “agriculture has vast opportunities that young people tap into. It’s not only about literally tilling the land,” she says.

“Look at what skills you have; if you’re into engineering, we need people to design equipment. If you’re passionate about marketing, technology, there is an opportunity that you exploit.”

Mashumba, who will study business at the Iowa University for the six-week Mandela Washington Fellowship, is also chairperson of the Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union youth wing, the first female to hold the post in 75 years.

And she believes the opportunity will help her broaden her scope of farming as a business. “This is an amazing opportunity, a great honor.”

Currently, she is working on a project that educates women and youths in her community on climate change, smart agriculture and nutrition.